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May: Article 50 to be triggered before end of March next year

Theresa May has said the formal withdrawal process for Britain leaving the European Union will be invoked by the end of March 2017.

Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, the prime minister also confirmed plans for a "Great Repeal Bill" to overturn legislation that took Britain into the EU.

However Mrs May came under attack from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after she said there is "no opt out from Brexit" and we will "never allow divisive nationalists to undermine the precious union between the four nations of our United Kingdom".

Mrs May also said she will not accept any limits on Britain's ability to control immigration in negotiations to leave the EU.

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Theresa May: The sky has not fallen in as some predicted

Theresa May has said "the sky has not fallen in as some predicted it would" following the vote to leave in the EU referendum.

Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, the prime minister also defended her decision not to invoke Article 50 before the end of the year.

Earlier on Sunday, Mrs May confirmed Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which triggers the formal withdrawal process for Brexit, will be invoked by the end of March 2017.

"That decision means we have the time to develop our negotiating strategy and avoid setting the clock ticking until our objectives are clear and agreed," she said.

"And it has also meant that we have given some certainty to businesses and investors. There is still some uncertainty but the sky has not fallen in as some predicted it would. Our economy remains strong."

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May: Article 50 to be triggered before end of March next year

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